Kindle iOS app update frustrates users by deleting book libraries

Amazon's latest update to its iOS Kindle app is deleting users' book libraries, so the company is urging people to avoid the update until it releases a fix.

"Note: There is a known issue with this update. If you are an existing Kindle for iOS user, we recommend you do not install this update at this time," Amazon said in the "What's new" section of the Kindle app.

Users started reporting problems with the Kindle app 3.6.1 update serveral days ago.

"Since the last update, my iPhone app is no longer syncing. The last book I downloaded is not showing up on my iPhone," user Amber522 wrote on 24 February.

Unfortunately, many people on iOS opt for the "Update All" option or don't look at the "What's new" section of an app before updating, so many users saw Amazon's alert too late.

"This has to be the dumbest way to give an update yet," wrote PDC101. "Who reads the fine print? We just hit update."

That was a popular refrain among those who commented today; why not just pull the app rather than inserting a somewhat hidden warning?

"Ugh, erased all Kindle content. Looks like I have to re-register, too. Why not pull update at first sign of trouble?" asked Mike w80.

"How dumb is it to hige a 'Do not install this update on iOS' message in the 'More' section of the update description," asked MagiMaster. "Most people would assume there's no problem installing it, since the update message was received on their device. After it's installed, it can't be uninstalled. Duh."